He reports that Lawence's painting by
Rembrandt has been placed in the
Royal Academy schools in the manner he wished, by Bromhead the carpenter; he talks of major building work on his apartments at the Academy and ruminates on his feelings towards his new position [as Keeper]; he has set the Laocoon as the subject for the premiums and allowed the students extra time, a son of
Stothard harangued him about this in "Landseer style"; there are so many candidates for the schools that they are drawing lots for places; he took three weeks in Hampshire, in lieu of Council making a decision about his time off;
Mr. Flaxman has been a great help to him setting up the schools, the
Secretary and
Mr. Smirke Senr. have also helped, as would have
Mulready if required; Mrs. Freebairn has lost her
son, Lavell, the assistant Porter died the previous day; he is glad to hear good news of
Wilkie, which, due to the opinions of others, was unexpected.